Alternative Hunting Vehicles

[Machias]

So I like to drive ALOT of miles for hunting and since we are well on our way to $4++ gas, I have been thinking about alternative hunting set ups.  I was kind of surprised at the Toyota Tacoma and Ford Ranger mileages.  For some reason I had it in my head they were alot better then what they really are.  I looked at one of the mileage comparison charts and the VW Jetta Sportswagon gets mid 40 mpg. I was thinking I could turn that into a heck of a nice hunting rig.  Pull a trailer with a four wheeler maybe.  I could rig the back up for sleeping or just camp out of the car and hike more.  OR I was thinking about something like the BMW 1200 GS ADV motorcycle and pull a small trailer with one of those.  At 50 mpg I could do some serious miles and the thing is built to go alot of places highway or gravel roads no problem.  Get an animal I could either call the wife to bring the big rig or drive home and come back and get it.  What are some of you guys thoughts on alternative vehicles.

[pianoman9701]

It's a good thing to consider, but the bottom is about to fall out of the oil market, so don't be too quick in making a move just yet.

[Machias]

You think so?

[BIGINNER]

i got myslef an older subaru legacy wagon.  its 4 wheel drive,... so it can get  me anywhere i wanna go.  and it gets about 30 mpg in the city.    much better than 10mpg on my truck

[Machias]

I was looking at the Subaru Bajas but heck they only average about the same mpg as the Tacomas.

[pianoman9701]

The barrel price of crude has is trading down 20% to $98 from just a week ago at $115. Gasoline use in the US has dropped almost 10% from 6 months ago and OPEC is losing it's mind. BP stock fell 2.5% yesterday, as did all of the other oil companies. The crude price has been very inflated because of speculators and is now adjusting to match true cost. We should see crude continue to fall to as low as $70, possibly within two months. The one mitigating factor in this is if OPEC decides to leave the US dollar. Oil prices will drop worldwide, but our inflation at that point will be so drastic that everything will go up, including oil. This is a real concern.

[Machias]

Gotcha, by the way I like your avatar photo!  I just sold my 1998 Ford Ranger.  It had 241,000 miles on it and was starting to fall apart.  So I am in the market for a new hunting rig.  The F250 is NOT cutting it, plus I only have that to pull the mules in the horse trailer.  Shoot just to take the brumbies to the mountains for a day ride is $150.   

[jackelope]

My buddy has a GS1200 BMW and that is one cool motorcycle. It is, however, giant...big enough to cause issues in the woods because it's so big and heavy.

[quadrafire]

http://www.segway.com/individual/models/x2-adventure.php

This might not be a bad option for you, it is ready for off road use.

I don't see an easy way to hitch up a trailer however

[Woodchuck]

If you buy a VW be sure you have towing on your insurance or have AAA. I make A LOT of money on VW/Audi 

[Machias]

SWEEET quadrafire!   

[chongo469]

I feel ya......I just sold my 1992 Toyota Alltrac wagon and wish I could have afforded to fix it.....We used it this last year for our trip to the eastside for the modern firearm deer opener.....We had that thing packed to the gills and she was squatting a bit but still got 24 MPG avg......I am thinking about trying to get a subaru or small wagon or truck before this years hunt...My explorer gets 15mpg and my F-150 with a 6 cyl 5 spd gets 18 or so..........If gas prices dont go down soon, I may be stuck hunting the wet side of the state......

[Bofire]

 :)When I add in the cost of extra insurance and maintenance, it does not pay to get another rig. I get 18 over all and 22 highway with my full size 4x4 chev PU. and it pulls my trailer too.
Carl

[Special T]

I have an 85 Subaru brat 30+ mpg.. Its the older wagons that have the best milage, mainly because they have less of the emissions crap, not to mention the light weight. Here is a forum that I visit regarding Subaru's.
http://www.ultimatesubaru.org/forum/  The vintage you are looking for is 1980-1995 ish Most runners can be had Cheep, couple thousand bucks, are easy to fix, and since they have a cult following all important info is available on the web. To replace ANY PART on the Gen 1 Subaru all you need is a $9 harbor freight metric wrench set, and 3 sockets and a half inch ratchet... Pair of vise grips, pliers and a couple of screw drivers are all you need. Winches are not necessary, however cheep ATV 3000lbs ones normally work. Most of them weigh in right at 2000lbs. You can pack all your gear in a wagon plus they nearly all have roof racks... I think it you could think of it as a wheeling/hunting rig. If you can afford a ATV you can afford a pimped out Subaru. 

[jmoyer2]

dont buy a tacoma to save gas. I have a 96 with a 4cyl 2.7 liter and get 15 in town and 18 on the hwy.